Cam assembly



J. N. PAUL CAM ASSEMBLY June 24, 1958 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Dec. 12, 1952 MWJ WEE; T

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INVENTOR ATTORNEYS v J. N. PAUL CAM ASSEMBLY June 24, 1958 Filed Dec. 12, 1952 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR ATTORNEYS J. N. PAUL CAM ASSEMBLY June 24, 1958 3 Sheets-Sheet 5 Filed Dec. 12, 1952 INVENTOR ATTORNEY-S United States PatentQ CAM ASSEMBLY Joseph N. Paul, Norwalk, Conn.

Application December 12, 1952, Serial'No. 325,675 J 15 Claims. (Cl; 74,-568) This invention relates to cam assemblies and the present. application is a continuation 'in part of my application Serial No. 166,648, filed June 7, 1950, now Patent No. 2,657,375, dated October 27, 1953.

The cam assembly with which the present application deals is of particular utility in traflic signal apparatus, such as described in the above-mentioned application, where traffic signals are placed at street intersections and controlled by timing adjusters, signal timers and contactors; as described in that application. However, the subject matter of the present application is-adapted to other uses.

-One of the objects of the present inventionis to provide an improved cam device or cam assembly in which is embodied a removable and adjustable member acting as-a cam lobe or cam arm and suitable for'the actuation of electric switches and other elements Another object is to furnish a novel cam-structure which is of great utility in time controlled apparatussuch as traffic signal apparatus.

Another object is to provide a camdevice involving a fixed cam body and a removable cam lobe' which is mounted upon the body and is angularly. adjustable by small increments andis nevertheless securelyheld against displacement.

A" further purpose of the invention is to provide a composite adjustable cam device suitable forswitch actuation and like work which operates effectively and-enlarges the scope of the apparatus with'which it is used and is-ofrelatively simple and inexpensive structure.

In the accompanying drawings:

Fig. 1 is an edge view of a cam device with removable lobes, the, two lobes beingin the same angular position;

Fig. 2. is a sectional'axial section of the structure shown in Fig. l;.,

Fig. 3'jis a face view partly in section of certain parts shown in'Fig. 1;

Fig. 4f is'a detail of. the cam lobe showing it removed from the cam body;

Fig. 5' is anelevation showing'a modified-form;

Fig. 6 is a face view of 'the structure shown in Fig. 5;

Fig. 7 is a central sectional view;

Fig, 81 shows the lobe removed from the body;

Fig. 9 is a face view showing a further modified form;

Fig. 10 is an edge view partly in'se'ctionof the structure shownin Fig. 9; i

Fig. llis a detail ofthe cam lobe shown in Fig. 9;

Fig. 12 isafa'ce view showing a further modification;

Fig. 13 is an edge view partly in section of the structure shown in Fig. l2; I

Fig. 14 is a fragmentary face view showing a further modification;

Fig. 15 is a sectional viewof the structure shown in Fig. 14; and i Figs. l6, l7 and- 18 are views of a-further modifiedform, Fig. 16 being a face view partly broken,'- Fig. 17 being a central section and Fig. 18 being a detailiof the lobe.

The form of cam-shown inFigsi l to 4; inclusive, is suitable for use on the timer shaftof a timing adjuster, such 'ice asdescribed in Patent No. 2,657,375, for the actuation of a pivoted switch element, and in practice a plurality of cams are usually mounted side by side on a timer, shaft, each cam being adapted on rotation to actuate the particular switch with which it is associated. The switch levers may have pointed projections thereon, as shown in said patent, and these projections may be contacted by sharply sloped lobes on the several cams for the purpose of camming the switches tothe closed positions. Inthe form of Figs. 1 to 4, inclusive, a single cam body is employed in association with a duplex lobe arrangement, the two lobes acting together to shift the switch blade or like memher, but the structure is obviously applicable to other uses.

In this form, a cam body is suitably locked to' a cam shaft which, in this particular case, is of composite structure including a number of through-bolts, shown in section in Fig. 3, which pass through the hub portionsof the several cams used-on the shaft. Usually a-num-ber-of cams having the construction now to be described are placed side by side in the shaft structure. At each side of the cam body 150 is an adjustable and removable cam lobe 151, a part of which has a radially projecting relationship with respect to the cam body. At each fa ceofthe cam body the peripheral part 150' is raised'sornewhat fromthe face of the body and is grooved radially so asto provide, in this particular case, one hundred radial grooves. The cam lobe 151 is made in two parts, one-of-said parts' being a spring-equipped yoke 152 shaped to seat on a-cylindrical part of the shaft structure andjhaving'a projecting part 153 to which a projecting'lobe section 15'4 is attached-in a suitable manner. In-this case, the'cylindrical part of the shaft structure with which the yoke I52iis engaged isan integral hub portion 150" projecting from the face'of the body 150, there'beingsuch a hub portion at each-face of the body. The yoke 152 is provided adjacent the respective ends with projecting spring arms 155 16' versely directed with respect to the ends of' the yoke body; The arms 155 project at an acute angle'to the general plane of the yoke, as shown in Figs. 1 and'2. The terminals of these spring arms 155 are adapted'to press flatwise against a plain disk 156 fixed in an appropriate manner to the shaft structure and spaced somewhatfrom' theadjacent face of the cam body 150. In the presenternbodiment, there is a disk 156 at each side of the cam body and this disk is spaced-relatively to the face of the'cam body by engaging the end of the hub portion 150".

The cam lobe 151 is provided. at that face opposing the cam'body with several radial grooves .158 that. are adapted to be engaged by certain ribs 157' which are presented by the above-mentioned grooving of the peripheral portion 150', and the action of the springs.155 is such as to hold the lobe firmly against angular displacement from the position to which it is adjusted. It is understood that in the operative position of the cam, the yoke of'thc cam lobe straddles the shaft so. as to positionthe lobe in a secure manner from displacement in a lateraldi'rec tion with respection to the shaft whilethe' spring arms 155, engaged with the positioning disk'or washer 156, exert such axial thrust on the lobe as to lock the projecting part 153, 154 of the lobe securely to the peripheral part 150' of'the cam body. As will be seen from Fig. 2, the part 153 lie against the shoulder presented by the portion 150' so as to prevent radial dislocation of the lobe and it is understood that the toothed engagement byrthe parts-154 and 150 will prevent rotational displacement of the lobe.

It will be understood from the foregoing, that the lobe can be very readily placed in the cam structure in the desired angular adjustment. When it is desired toremove the lobe, itis only necessary to press withthe fingers againsta projecting part of the lobe in an axial direction Patented June 24, 1958 7 in order to disengage it and then lift the lobe in a radial direction.

For the purpose of facilitating adjustment of the cam lobe to the desired extent, the peripheral surface of the cam body may be provided with a scale and, in the .case

shown, the surface is divided into one hundred equal parts and suitable numerals are associated with the scale- By this arrangement, the lobe can beadjusted angularly. by increments of 1% .and this is of particular advantage when the device is used in traflic signal apparatus:

' The two projecting lobes used in connection with the cam body may have the same angular position so that the lobes act jointly in actuating a switch or the like, but the lobes can if desired have other functions.

Inthe modified form shown in Figs. to 8, inclusive, the lobe portion of thecam is generally of the same character as in the first form although there are difierences in detail, ,and the form of the cam body and the form of the shaft are somewhat different from those previously described. Inthis case, as in the form. previously described, only one cambody with its associated parts is disclosed. The cam body 159 has a thickened rim portion 160 and this rim portion is grooved at opposite faces to provide radial grooves 161 of rectangular profile. As shown in Fig; 7 thesegrooves are of slightly less depth than the extended rim portion of the cam body in which they are formed and the rim of the cam body provides at theradially inner side a shoulder 162 having a projecting relationship to the face of the cam bodywhichis presented by thebody web 163. i The central part of the web 163 is perforated as shown at 164 and the perforation is engaged with a bolt 165 forming a part of the shaft structure. At either side of the cam body web is a spacing sleeve 166 surrounding bolt 165 and this spacing sleeve serves to position a disk or washer 167 that has the same function as the disk 156. However, in this case, the disk 167 instead of being approximately the same in diameter as the cam body, is of noticeably less diameter and it can bemade of relatively light sheetmetal. f

The lobe 168 instead of being made up of two parts joined together, as in the first form, is made in one piece. It has a yoke 169 generally similar to the yoke 152, but in this case, the spring fingers 170 in plan are straight rather than curved and they have a very slight inclination with respec t to the longitudinal axis of the lobe, as aplobe with one of the peripheral grooves. The spring terminals of the lobe press against the peripheral part of the washer 167 so as to exert an axial thrust on the lobe and by this thrust the lobe is securely held against displacement. The lobe can, of course, be readily inserted and removed when desired, as in the form first described.

In the form shown in Figs. 9, l0 and 11, the cam body 176 has a laterally enlarged portion 177 that provides a rim with a radially inner shoulder 178. The grooves in the rim part indicated at 179 extend throughout the width of the rim so as to provide teeth at the periphery of the cam body and these grooves in the form pears from Fig. 8. Moreover, the projecting portion U 171 of the lobe which is arranged to project beyond the cam'body has a different form'and arrangement and is joined to the yoke 169 by'an intermediate portion 172 of novel form. As will be seen from Fig. 8, this intermediate portion 172 which isintegral with the yoke and with the portion'171 lies in'substantially the same plane asthe'yoke body and is gradually reduced in width toward its juncture with the portion 17.1.. The portion 171, instead of beingin or near the plane of the yoke, is turned at right angles thereto so as to be presented edgewise to. the face of' the cam body, as shown in Figs. 6 and "I. The portion 171 is a relatively narrow elongated portion projecting substantially from the periphery of the cam body and having at the edge which is away from the cam body, aplainor straight. formation as indicated at 173. At the opposite edge of portion 171, however, there isa cut-away part 174 arranged to seat in any one ofthe radial grooves 161; and inwardly'of the rim portion of the cambody'the portion 171 of the lobe has a projection 175 extending in an axial direction with respect to the structure. The'function of the projection 175 is to take up against the shoulder 162 presented by the rim portion of the cam body and it will be understood that by this engagement of the lobe with the cam .body rim, displacement of the lobe in a radially outward direction with respect to the cam, body is prevented. Rotashown are of rectangular profile and take up a major portion of the depth of the rim. In this case, the lobe is somewhat similar to the lobe of Fig. 8, but in this case, the spring terminals are not reversely disposed, but project from the yoke in a forward direction in order to create a fork-like structure with substantially parallel tines. These spring tines or arms are indicated at 181. When viewed edgewise, as in, Fig. 10, the yoke and the tines integral therewith are angularly disposed, creating an obtuse angle between them, the tines or arms being directed downwardly and inwardly toward the face of the cam body and the extremities of the arms being engaged with the cam body face at the lower part thereof. The spring arms having their terminals pressed against the face of the cam body react against a disk or washer 182 (which is relatively small in comparison with the disk or washer of the next previous form) and the result is that the upper part 183 of the lobe is pressed toward and against the rim 177. As appears from Fig. 10, the projecting lobe part 183 is provided with a notch 184 fitting the profile of the rim and permitting a part 183' of the lobe to enter one of the grooves 179 at the end of the groove. In this form only one lobe is shown, but it will be understood that a similar lobe can be used at the opposite side of the cam body if desired. Rotational displacement of the lobe is, of course, prevented by the engagement of the lobe with one of the grooves and displacement in an outward radial direction is prevented by engagement of a part of the lobe portion 183 with the shoulder 178.

In the form shown in Figs. 12 and 13, the lobe 185 is similar to that last described having a similar parallel arm construction presenting spring arms, the extremities of which engage the face of the cam body inwardly of the rim. In this construction, however, the terminal portion 186 of the lobe, which is presented edgewise to the rim portion of the body, has parallel inner and outer edges, the inner edge having adjacent thereto a projection 187 engaging a shoulder at the radially inner part of the rim 188. The projecting part 186 of the lobe is adapted to engage one of a number of radial grooves 189 in the rim, these grooves having a rectangular cross section, as shown in Fig. 13. The engagement of the projecting part 186 with one of the grooves prevents rotational displacement of the lobe.

In the form shown in Figs. 14 and 15, the cam body 190 has a relatively deep rim 191 in the peripheral part of which are grooves 192 that extend throughout the width of the rim. At the radially inner part of the rim is a sloping shoulder 193. In this form, the lobe 194 straddles the'rim and has a portion seated in one of the grooves, and the terminals of the lobe are in the nature of parallel spring arms 195 having extremities 196 that engage the shoulders 193. The terminals or arms of the lobe are integral with a plate-like portion 197 and the terminals or arms can be sprung apart so that the lobe can be moved radially inwardly over the cam periphery to the position shown in Figs. 14 and 15. In this position, the lobe will be locked in place, but it can be removed bya strong pulling movement in a radially outward direction. In this form, the lobe is a sheet metal part generally in the form of an inverted U, the

base or intermediate portiomo'f which-1 is relatively deep, as appears from Fig.1 The gradually-rounded ends of the spring} arms are provided-with inclined'surfaces so that they can conform to;the retaining shoulders 193;

It will be apparentthat; in this form, as wellasiother forms previously described, .the'plane of the projecting part of the lobe coincides with the axis of the shaft structure.

The form. of cam assembly shown in, Figs. 16 to 18, inclusive, is suitable-for use in places-'whereit is desired to have a peripheral projection extend through a substantial part of a, circle. This cam structure is suitable for constructing'cams such asthosezshown M131 and 32 in Fig. l of my prior application. Here the. cam body is built about. a member suchasa belt 198 and includes parallel disks 199. separated: from each other in a suitable manner as by means of a spacer disk 200. The inner peripheral portions of the disks, 199 are. provided with radial teeth 201, these teeth projecting inwardly from the faces of the disks, i. e., with the-teeth of one disk projecting toward. those of. theother disk, as: shown in Fig. 17'. A numberof sheet metal1lobes202 are adapted to be set in betweenthe disks. in. the relationship shown in Fig. 16, to provide a. cam. projection having an arcuate portion which .is substantially. continuous and; has the desired circumferential. dimension. In 'this form, each of the lobes has a main body. 203and a laterally bent and curved outer part 204, asshowne in Fig. 16, .the end of the bent part being in close proximity to the body of the adjacent lobe. In this case, the body 203 of the lobe presents an integral spring structure that enables the lobe to be sprung into and retained in the space between the disks 199. As shown in Figs. 17 and 18, the body 203 is characterized by a slotted or cut-away portion 205 creating a reversely turned substantially parallel spring arm 206. This lobe construction presents a flat shank that normally has the shape shown in Fig. 18, but which when inserted in place is compressed laterally so as to assume the shape shown in Fig. 17. The spring arm has near the extremity a curved outer edge portion 207 which, in the assembled position, fits into one of the grooves 201, and at the opposite side of the shank is a small projection 208 which, in the assembled position, engages the rim portion of the other disk 199. Normally, the engagement of the projection 208 with its cooperating part will prevent unintentional removal of the lobe, but by exerting sufficient force in a radially outward direction upon the lobe, the lobe can be withdrawn from the structure.

In this case, as in some of the cases previously described, the general plane of the lobe projection coincides with the axis of the shaft and the cam body is provided with ribs or teeth engaged with the edge of the lobe body to prevent rotational displacement, and radially outward displacement is inhibited by engagement of a projecting part of the lobe body with a cam body rim.

The cam structure as herein described provides an adjustable and removable lobe element in a relatively inexpensive assembly, and the invention is of considerable utility, especially in trafiic signal apparatus and like apparatus, enlarging the scope of the apparatus and enabling adjustments to be made much more easily and conveniently than heretofore. The invention also provides a structure which is advantageous for the reason that angular adjustments of the cam lobes can be effected in a very precise manner so that operational results will be satisfactory. In precision apparatus it is very desirable to have the cam lobe angularly adjustable by small increments (one percent, for example) and securely held in place when adjusted and this condition is met by the structure herein described.

While several forms of the cam device are illustrated, various other forms and modifications may be adopted without departing from the principles of the invention or the scope of the claims.

What I' claim is: I

1. A' shaft structure carrying a cam body, and having associated with said body at each side anangularly ad justable and removablelobe, said lobes projecting radially beyond the periphery of the body and being. arranged for placement in the same angular position or in different angular positions, each lobe being adjustable 1 through 360 by-increments of 1%. I

2. A'shaftstructure, carrying a cam body, and havin associated with said body at each side an angularly ad. justable and removable lobe, said lobes projecting radially beyond the periphery of the body and being arranged for placement in the same angular position or in different angular positions, each lobe being adjustable through 360 by increments of 1%, each lobe being spring pressed to hold it in position and having a shaft-embracing yoke.

3. A shaft structure. carrying a. cam body, andhaving associated with said body at each side'an angularly adjustable and removable lobe, said lobes projecting radially beyondtheperiphery of the body. and being arr-angedfor placement in the same angular position or in different angular positions, each lobe being adjustable through 360 by'increments of 1%, each lobe being spring pressed to hold it in position and having a shaft-embracing yoke, said'lobe having a fiat part projecting beyond the periphery of the body.

4. In a device such as described, a cam body having.

peripheral grooves, and a cam lobe spring-pressed to engage said grooves, said lobe having a. shaft embra'cing 7 thereof a spring which presses it axially of the shaft to hold it in engagement with said groove, said lobe having a yoke portion extending over the shaft.

7. A shaft carrying a fixed cam body provided at the peripheral part with radial grooves, and associated with said body at one side thereof an angularly adjustable and removable lobe extending beyond the periphery of the body and engaging one of said grooves, said lobe having a, shaft-embracing yoke portion provided with spring terminals contacting the face of the cam body to exert axial thrust on the lobe and thereby maintain the lobe adjustment.

8. A shaft carrying a fixed cam body provided at the peripheral part with radial grooves, and associated with said body at one side thereof an angularly adjustable and removable lobe extending beyond the periphery of the body and engaging one of said grooves, said lobe having a shaftembracing yoke portion provided with spring terminals contacting the face of the cam body to exert axial thrust on the lobe and thereby maintain the lobe adjustment, a portion of the yoke resting against a mem ber spaced from the cam body.

9. In a device such as described, a shaft, a disk surrounding the shaft and having peripheral radial grooves, a sleeve or spacer on the shaft at one side of the disk, a second disk spaced from the first by said sleeve, and an angularly adjustable and removable lobe having a part at one side of the first disk engaging one of said grooves and extending beyond the periphery of the first disk, said lobe having a resilient part integral therewith turned reversely and bearing against the second disk to exert axial pressure on the lobe and hold it against angular displacement.

10. In a device such as described, a fixed cam body in the form of a disk having radial peripheral grooves, and at one face of the disk an angularly adjustable and removable lobe having a part engaging one of said grooves to prevent angular displacement and a spring yoke with terminals engaging one face of the disk and exerting positioning pressure on said lobe axially of the structure. 1 l 1 11. In a cam structure, a cam body having spaced apart disks with ribs facing each other, and a cam lobe having holding means whereby it is inset-table in a variety of angular locations into the space between saiddisks to engage opposing ribs andreadily removable from said space, said holding means comprising an axially-acting spring integral with said lobe.

12. In a device such as described, a rotary cam body having a series of grooves at the periphery thereof, and an angularly adjustable cam lobe engageable sequentially with said grooves and having a part extending beyond the periphery of the body, said lobe having a spring to position it relatively to said body, and being adjustable through 360 by increments of 1%.

13. In a device such as described, a rotary cam body having a series of grooves at the periphery thereof, and an angularly adjustable cam lobe engageable sequentially with said grooves and having a part extending beyond the periphery of the body, said lobe having a spring to ,position it relatively to said body, said grooves facing axially of the cam body and said lobe having a shaftembracing yoke.

I it i 14. A shaft carrying a fixed cam body, and associated with said body at the respective sides thereof angularly adjustable and'removable lobes each having an axially acting positioning spring as an integral part thereof, each of said lobes being adjustable independently of a lobe in the same angular position on the body at the opposite side of the body. a t

15. A shaft structure carrying a cam body, and having associated with said body at the respective sides thereof angularly adjustable and removable lobes each having an axially acting positioningspring as an integral part there- .of, said lobes projecting radially beyond the periphery of the body and said springs being constructed and arranged for placement and retention of said lobes in the same angular position on said body at the respective sides or faces of the latter or in different angular positions.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 215,980 Scott May 27, 1879 1,867,067 Lorenzen Sept. 6, 1932 2,163,864 Bissell June 27, 1939 2,418,757 Collins Apr. 8, 1947 2,428,195 Breeding Sept. 30, 1947 2,469,761 Bodmer May 10, 1949 2,583,397 Strysko Jan. 22, 1952 2,597,928 Fehr May 27, 1952 

